show up!

A story is told of a missionary who traveled to a very remote region to preach the gospel. The natives were very welcoming and receptive to the gospel so he quickly settled down and set the ball running.

As days went by, something bothered him. All the natives -young and old alike- adorned their birth suits. He figured out he could do something about it. He sent word back home painting a picture of the dire situation on the ground.  

The response was quick. In a few months, the first batch of clothes arrived. The missionary was so happy. Finally, he could clothe the people he had grown to love deeply.

But there was a problem. The clothes were not enough for everyone. No matter how he thought to distribute, a large number of the villagers would miss out.

After brainstorming, he came up with a plan, brilliant distribution plan. That week he was going to teach as usual and at the tail end of the meeting, he would distribute one set of clothes to everyone present.

Monday came. After preaching, he issued shirts/ tops to those present. After preaching on Tuesday he gave out trousers/ skirts. On Wednesday he issued coats/ sweaters. And on it went. On Saturday, he issued shoes.

Then he sent word everyone should come for the Sunday service dressed in the clothes they had received that week.

Sunday morning the village was a sight to behold. It was chaotic and funny at the same time. Save for the few consistent fellows, the rest were objects of laughter. Some only had a shirt. Others, trousers but no shirt. Others every other cloth minus shoes.

As far as you could go in your permutation and combinations, so was there a combination of clothes. Anyone who missed any day did not have a full set of clothes.

That story reminds me of Thomas. He is commonly referred to as ‘doubting Thomas’, the description originating from his reaction to the news the disciples had seen the resurrected Jesus.

Why did he doubt though? It’s an open secret. He was not present when Jesus appeared to the rest of the disciples. He is ‘doubting Thomas’ because he is ‘absent Thomas’.

Where was he? What was he doing? Legitimate reason or not, the fact remains he missed out.

What has that to do with me, someone might ask. Thanks for asking. Here’s what.

Like Thomas, could you be missing out on some important destiny appointments with Jesus?

Is the doubt and unbelief in your life a manifestation of missing in action while Christ was present and moving in a place you were to be but you weren’t? Maybe.

Could the sins and other moral deficiencies that characterize your life be a sign you missed a call with Jesus? It could very well be.

But it needs not to be.

Doubt is the antithesis of faith/ belief. The Bible states categorically that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Apostle John states that the Bible is written so that we may believe (John 20:30-31).

Keeping in the word of God strengthens your faith in Him. The more you delve into the Word and commune with the Father you grow in Christlikeness i.e. become more like Christ. And that ought to be every believer’s goal.

The reverse happens if you stay away from the Word of God. Faithlessness and unbelief spring up. Doubt and unbelief in a believer’s life are tell-tale signs of a Wordless life.

Study the Word of God diligently. Meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:7-8). Let it go full circle when you pray the Word in.

If you read the Bible right, it will lead you to prayer, and if you are to pray right you have to be a diligent student of the Bible.

Prayer and the Bible are intertwined. If you read the Bible right, it will lead you to prayer; and if you are to pray right, you have to pray in the Word.

See, the Bible will expose your imperfections and inadequacies which will push you to God in prayer. The Bible will also help you to appreciate the mind of God, so you will know how to pray and what to pray for.

The vibrancy in your Christian life is directly proportional to your devotional life.

In addition to individual growth efforts, you need to be part of a community of believers. There is something about fellowship you can’t find when worshipping alone no matter how diligent you are. Little wonder the Bible reminds us not to forsake fellowship (Hebrews 10:25).

Therefore, if you don’t attend church you need to find one. If you do, be consistent and get fully involved in it to reap the maximum benefits of being a member of a local body. Most churches also have smaller convenient groups for, among other things, Bible study. Join and participate in such. It will supplement your individual Bible study, and ground you more in God.

Friends, let’s not miss our divine appointments. Don’t be absent when God is moving among His people like Thomas. Be consistent in your devotion and attend fellowship faithfully.

Unless you are in the Word, you are missing out on important aspects of your faith. And worse, you are sinking into faithlessness.

When the time to exit the stage comes, let’s not appear on the throne of God naked or scantily dressed like the natives. Instead, let’s be found smart, fully dressed in Christ (Romans 13:14). Yes, adorning all the kingdom attributes. Fully-baked, mature believers who have attained the full stature of Christ.

Don’t be an embodiment of the Swahili saying: Asiyekuwepo na lake halipo (loosely translated: nothing is kept for someone who is not present).

Show up!

Ps: You can find the account of Thomas in John 20:24-29.